In brief
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has demanded the immediate release of 11 UN staff members detained by Houthi authorities in Yemen. The arrests raise concerns about the ongoing humanitarian crisis as these workers play a crucial role in providing aid. Guterres condemned the arbitrary detentions and called for accountability, as the UN continues to navigate a perilous operational environment in Yemen.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called for the 'immediate and unconditional release' of 11 UN staff arrested by Houthi authorities in Yemen.
The workers were detained by security forces in raids on the World Food Programme (WFP), children's charity Unicef and the World Health Organization (WHO), news agencies and the UN said.
Sunday's raids took place in the capital, Sanaa, and port city of Hudaydah, UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg said.
Grundberg noted that the Houthis had already been holding 23 other UN workers since 2021.
In a statement, Guterres expressed condemnation of the detentions, the forced entry into UN premises, and seizure of property.
The exact reasons behind the Houthi actions remain unclear, but the arrests severely hamper the aid efforts crucial for ordinary Yemenis facing a dire humanitarian crisis.
One previously detained UN worker reportedly died earlier this year under suspicious circumstances.
Earlier in the year, the UN had to suspend its operations in Houthi-controlled areas after multiple detentions of its personnel.
The latest arrests have heightened tensions in Yemen, particularly following an Israeli attack that killed the Houthi Prime Minister and other officials.
The Houthis have controlled northern Yemen since 2015, and the prolonged conflict has resulted in over 150,000 deaths and more than 19 million people needing humanitarian assistance.
